There are so many things to consider. From safety to good eating habits to schooling and keeping them entertained. A parent with a little experience can handle most of these aspects. However, there are a few subtle gestures you can make as a parent to make your child feel happy and at home while sailing. This list will show you some of these ways to keep your kids happy on board; let's dive in!
Tip #1 - Give your kids privacy
Some families have caught on and their solution to the privacy problem is simple. The parents simply charter a bigger yacht and the child is happy to have a whole cabin to himself. But not all boats are so spacious and some families are larger, so unless you want to charter a big yacht with more cabins than in your own home, you will have to think of another way to give your children privacy. Here are a few simple ways to prevent tempers from flaring and give your children a place where they can relax, unwind and be themselves.
Use curtains
If you have two or more children sharing a bunk bed, it can be useful to install curtains. Then, when a child wants privacy or some time alone, all you have to do is pull the curtain closed. This is where you can go wild with the design and colours. We are sure that small children in particular will really enjoy pretending to be in outer space with a galaxy curtain and a torch.
Make it cosy
We know it is difficult to implement interior elements on a small boat. However, there are a few small details you can tackle to make the space look cozier and cosier, just like home. Small cushions, fluffy blankets, family photos and small lamps are usually enough. Even better, let your children help you with this so they feel involved in creating this homely space.
Give them some time to themselves
This is especially important when your child is in puberty. We may not like it, but kids usually need some time away from their parents to feel independent and rested. You can let them wander around an island on their own for a bit, or leave them on the boat while you run errands or go swimming. After all, both parents and children need some time to themselves.
Tip #2 - Set your kids free
No matter how big the boat is, they can all feel small or cramped at times. In such situations, you can try to give your children some freedom to explore and have fun on their own. Of course, that doesn't mean you should let them go on a trip to a city they've never been to before, but if you've already seen an island or a particular beach, you can let them wander around on their own so they feel independent. Here are also a few other ways a sense of freedom can be achieved.
Let them drive the dinghy
Here, of course, we are talking about older children and teenagers. Driving the dinghy is probably too big a responsibility for a small child. But the older and more mature children who have seen you do this several times would probably be able to handle it.
Don't be condescending
Being a child does not mean you cannot handle responsibility. Most children will appreciate being given tasks and ways to be helpful on the boat. For a teenager, walking night watch during the crossing can be a learning experience. Such tasks usually make children feel proud, useful and grow as individuals.
Don't go overboard with schoolwork
Don't get us wrong, homework is a serious matter that should not be overlooked, and we are not suggesting that you let them slack off. However, you can set a specific time of day to learn. Observe your children and see at what time of the day they don't feel like going out and playing. Moreover, if you are sailing in summer, in a very hot destination, it is advisable not to let your children play during the hottest part of the day. You can devote that time (but not all) to school.
Tip #3 - Keep them busy
This one is a bit obvious. However, the question is how do you do that on a boat? Well, that's actually quite simple, you just have to prepare in advance. Of course, children usually enjoy exploring and can entertain themselves, but the moment they are on the boat, or if it is a rainy day, here is what you can do to avoid a boredom crisis.
Take books (E-readers) or comic books with you
There is always something your children want to read, you just have to give them options and let them choose. Taking a child to a bookshop to pick out their books or comics for the trip can be inspiring for both you and your child. If you are worried that there is no room on the boat, bring just a few fascination books or opt for an E-reader.
Bring movies and a laptop
On a sailing trip, most people want to get away from technology and disconnect from everyday life with laptops, tablets and phones. However, it is good to bring at least one laptop and a bunch of favourite movies for the family for rainy days or evenings.
Bringing music
This is probably the best advice we can ever give. Music is an outlet, entertainment, a tool to make everything more fun, even chores. These days, it's easy to get a really nice sound with a portable speaker. You can just put it somewhere, connect to it and let the music play all day for a good mood.
If this is not enough and you want to go all out, check out our list 9 Boating Activities Perfect for Families!
Tip #4 - Find other kids
This is definitely a difficult task. However, it is also one of the most crucial aspects of making your child happy, especially if he is the only child on board. Loneliness and boredom can be very hard on a child when he is away from his group of friends and in an unfamiliar destination. Fortunately, there are ways to help your child find friends, even during a sailing trip.
Find other children's boats
This can be done in several ways. One of the most effective is through single sideband radio nets. With these, you can ask for children's boats in your area or in the area you are going to and even arrange a meeting. Other ways are the VHF, websites for cruising kids or Facebook pages, but only if you have internet. If not, you can visit destinations popular with families with children, such as George Town in the Bahamas.
Help your kids stay in touch with friends back home
Missing home and friends is probably one of the biggest problems your children can experience during a long sailing holiday. What you can do to make them feel better is to arrange video calls with their friends if you have internet. But if you don't have that, you can give them postcards that they can immediately send to friends back home or keep somewhere safe to give when you return. Another smart way is to give them a Polaroid camera that they can use to take pictures of anything they want to show friends.
Encourage them to play with locals
In most cases, they do not speak the same language, but you will be amazed at how children can make friends without even talking. Sometimes you have to give them a nudge to overcome their shyness. It will definitely be worth it.
Tip #5 - Listening
We doubt this comes as a surprise, because at the root of every happy and calm child lies understanding and two-way communication with parents. Contrary to popular belief, teenagers are not aliens and children can teach us a lot if only we are willing to listen carefully. Long sailing holidays or even living on a boat can be challenging for families. But if we make a little effort to listen to what our children have to say about their feelings and experiences, we can create amazing bonds and memories not only on board, but also at home.
What do you think? Will you apply some of our advice on your next family sailing holiday? We'd love to read about your family sailing experiences in the comments below or on our Facebook page. And don't forget, the Tubber Charter Experts are always here to help you choose the best charter yacht and destination for you and your family!